Babcock starts Bangor support period

Babcock is beginning a six month Support Period (Docking) (SP(D)) on Sandown class mine hunter HMS Bangor at its Rosyth dockyard, which will include a number of upgrades and a substantial maintenance package. Bangor is due to go into dock later this week.

The SP(D) is being carried out under Surface Ship Support Alliance Class Output Management (COM) arrangements, by the Babcock-led Sandown class COM team.

The upgrades and improvements will significantly enhance HMS Bangor’s operational capability, sustainability and habitability standards. They include several enhancements to upgrade the ship’s ability to operate in hot climates, major galley and laundry updates, installation of modernised communication systems, and an updated fire detection system. There are also plans to replace the ship’s existing diesel generators with modern, economical, environmentally friendlier and supportable machines.

Maintenance work to be undertaken on the vessel will include a large package of paint coating and deck covering renewal, a full structural survey, habitability improvements, slow speed drive alignment checks, renewal of all propulsor unit blade seals, shaft line overhaul, essential underwater work, and complete overhaul of the ship’s boat crane and of the reverse osmosis plant, in addition to the usual programme of planned maintenance and defect rectification.

Babcock Warships Managing Director Mike Whalley said: “The work package for HMS Bangor’s support period has been defined to reflect the ship‘s needs and minimise the level of emergent work, based on knowledge of the ship’s material state and our experience of previous Sandown class refits, to optimise efficiency and value for money. We look forward to delivering Bangor on-time and in-budget.”

HMS Bangor is scheduled to go into dock on Thursday 19 December, and is expected to leave Rosyth for sea trials in Summer 2014.